Cellulose-based paper containing cleansing agents capable of disaggregating in aqueous liquids and of being wound into continuous rolls

ABSTRACT

A soaped paper which will disaggregate in aqueous liquids comprising:
         a. cellulose-based fibre pulp: 50-90% by weight;   b. disaggregating agent: 30-3% by weight;   c. at least one detergent;   is described.       

     The preferred disaggregating agent is the sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose. This paper can be used to wash parts of the body of people or animals; it is also dry, may be available in the form of rolls, does not leave residues which have to be disposed of and is produced using automatic industrial processes.

This invention relates to the field of paper chemistry, in particular asoluble soaped paper which can be used to wash parts of persons' oranimals' bodies; specifically it relates to a dry paper available in theform of a roll which is impregnated with surfactants, does not leave anywastes that have to be disposed of and is manufactured through automaticindustrial processes.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The production and use of sheets of cellulose-based paper that areimpregnated with surfactants and are wholly water-soluble are known.However the terminology used for the substrate or the final product,paper or tissue, is not always uniform and is sometimes a source ofconfusion and misunderstandings.

In the paper industry, by paper is meant a felt of vegetable fibreswhose main components are cellulose and lignin, obtained from asuspension of such fibres in water. Conversion from a suspension to feltis achieved through draining on a clothing. The thin sheet so obtainedhas magnitudes in two dimensions, width and length, which are manyorders greater than the third, its thickness.

In the meaning of this invention, by paper is meant a product containingat least 50% of cellulose or cellulose and lignin. In the meaning ofthis invention known products having a lower percentage are not regardedas being paper.

GB656210 describes a tissue which can be used as a substitute for soapformed of water-soluble cellulose ether fibres and surfactants (e.g.alkyl sulphates) which may contain the sodium salt ofcarboxymethylcellulose as the binding agent between the fibres. Theprocess of producing the substrate known as “tissue” may be obtainedusing paper production technology, but the starting material comprisescellulose ethers. The tissue is therefore obtained by forming a pulp ofcellulose ether fibres in a liquid which also contains surfactants; thispulp is then spread onto a forming grid to form a. “feltrate” layer fromwhich the liquid is drained and the remaining liquid is removed byevaporation. The starting material used to obtain the tissue to whichthe patent relates is always a water-soluble fibrous material,preferably a cellulose ether or alternately an alginate or polyvinylalcohol. In the patent cellulose is only cited as the starting material(reagent) in order to obtain the methyl cellulose. Thus the materialused to form the substrate (cellulose ethers) differs from cellulose.The product described cannot be regarded as paper, in that the startingmaterial does not provide at least 50% of cellulose or cellulose andlignin.

EP0003186 describes wet wipes of high mechanical strength obtained byadding a binding agent, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, PVOH), to a substratedescribed as “non-woven fabric” (which by definition is different frompaper because in non-woven fabric dimensional stability is imparted by apolymer matrix and not by the inter-fibre hydrogen bonds of cellulose).The substrate containing PVA must subsequently be treated with products(boric acid and water-soluble salts) to ensure that the material soobtained (wipes) is dimensionally stable when placed in contact withwater. The wipes have good resistance to moisture but break up(disaggregate) when immersed in water and subjected to agitation. In theexamples it is learnt how the required mechanical strength is onlyobtained after the paper has been processed with polyvinyl alcohol andboric acid. In addition to this, disaggregation is accomplished only byproviding a certain amount of external energy, in particular mechanicalenergy.

EP0896089 describes substantially the same product as EP0003186, butwith greater accuracy and precision, and with some changes in theformulation of the products added to the substrate. In this caseexplicit reference is made to paper (fibrous sheet such as paper) towhich is added a binding agent (binder), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA),through surface treatment. Subsequently a carboxylate is added to thepaper containing PVA to impart sufficient strength to the sheet for itto be rubbed even when it is soaked. In the description a disintegrationtime for the wipe is quantified through a test which provides for theuse of a rotor at increasing rotation speed. Disintegration of the wipein water therefore requires the application of a certain amount ofenergy.

CA233748 describes a disposable soap comprising a substrate dissolvingin water which is impregnated with a cleansing composition placed in acontainer. This substrate may be a tissue, and paper is understood to bethe material. This reference only describes individual sheets (wipes).The possibility of producing a roll is never mentioned.

WO2005060931 describes cleansing wipes formed of a single layer whichdissolve in contact with water, comprising a polymer material forming awater-soluble film (70-98%) containing materials which are solubleand/or dispersible in water, and a cleansing agent (1-30%). They mayalso possibly contain an abrasive cleansing agent or a fibrous fillerwhich may comprise wood fibre, therefore also cellulose, in quantitiesfrom 1 to 20%. Cellulose is not mentioned among the materials which canbe dispersed in water. An essential feature of the product described isits suitable wet strength which enables it to maintain an intactstructure for a sufficient time for cleansing. In the documents of thestate of the art described above there are therefore descriptions ofwipes or tissues with good wet strength that are capable of sustaining arubbing action against the skin. These disintegrate when they aresubjected to a high flow of water but in the additional presence ofsignificant mechanical action providing energy.

Furthermore the products described in documents GB656210 andWO2005060931 do not fall within the scope of the conventional definitionof “paper” because the latter provides for the presence of vegetablefibre, the main components of which are cellulose or cellulose andlignin in a quantity in excess of 50%.

JP2003082397 and JP2003073700 describe a water-soluble soaped papercomprising an alkaline salt of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and woodpulp. However as in the case of documents GB656210 and WO2005060931these products do not fall within the scope of the conventionaldefinition of “paper” because the latter provides for the presence ofvegetable fibre, the main components of which are cellulose or celluloseand lignin, in a quantity in excess of 50%.

JP2003082397 also provides for the presence of a component which retainsmoisture. The paper is obtained by mixing carboxymethylcellulose andwood pulp in proportions of approximately 75-85 and 15-25 respectively,and drying. The soluble paper is then coated with liquid soap and driedby heat.

One of the essential features of the soaped soluble paper described inthe abovementioned Japanese patents is that they are wholly soluble inwater.

The present inventors are aware of a soaped paper which willdisaggregate in water, which is prepared by hand by craft means. Thecraft production cycle provides for placing a solution of water andcellulose fibres in a vessel (FIG. 1 a) which deposits out throughgravity onto a forming cloth; this forming cloth is subsequently liftedfrom the water, draining off a good part of the excess water. Acellulose paste remains on the forming cloth (FIG. 1 b) and issubsequently spread out (FIG. 1 c), manually impregnated with soapsolution, dried by means of hot air jets and finally rolled up. Thisprocess carried out on a craft basis makes it possible to producelimited quantities of soaped paper. Because of its intrinsiccharacteristics and small dimensions the soaped paper sheet obtainedcannot be rolled up and is therefore cut into small pieces which aresubsequently stacked (FIGS. 1 d, 1 e, 1 f and 1 g). The small sizes ofthe hand-made product (individual sheets) so obtained will not allow itto be produced industrially in rolls of desired length and width. Thisis an impediment to its storage and automatic production on anindustrial scale.

An industrial process for obtaining soluble paper which can be woundinto rolls is known and implemented by the Aquasol company (AquasolCorporation, 80 Thompson Street/North Tonawanda, N.Y. 14120). Thecompany produces Aquasol® Water Soluble Paper, a soluble papercharacterised by the property that it can quickly disaggregate in waterand is available in a variety of thicknesses and sizes, including rollsand sheets. This soluble paper is not however soaped, neither is itimpregnated with any substance.

In the light of the state of the art described above there is still aneed for a process that makes it possible to obtain a completelywater-soluble soaped paper which can be made available in variousformats, in particular in the form of a roll, produced through acontinuous industrial process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention overcomes the technical problems described above througha new process through which a dry soaped soluble paper havingconsistency and flexibility such that it can be rolled and unrolledwhile maintaining the physical characteristics of ordinary paper isobtained. This paper can then be stored in rolls of any size withoutthis giving rise to any damage or deterioration during the operations ofwinding or unwinding the roll.

The process according to this invention also makes it possible toproduce soluble soaped paper using an automatic continuous industrialproduction system with consolidated technology known in the art becauseit is used in the production of normal paper.

Use of the product according to this invention as a substitute forliquid soap also makes it possible to reduce environmental impactthrough the possibility of metering the surfactant placed on the papersubstrate, offering savings of more than 90% by weight and volume of theliquid soap.

This type of paper is the subject matter of this invention. It ischaracterised in particular by being soft, flexible, soluble in aqueousliquids and containing cleansing agents. Preferably the soaped paperaccording to this invention is soluble in water, water-alcohol solutionsand other solutions commonly used for cleansing the body.

The weight of the paper obtained is not critical, and may vary from theminimum which can be achieved that is compatible with use of the paper.Preferably the weight varies between 20 and 500 g/m².

It can also be written and printed upon. It is in fact possible to writeon the paper with a pen or pencil or to apply multicoloured inks inorder to produce figures or writing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

For the purposes of this invention the term “paper” is taken to mean afelt of virgin and/or regenerated vegetable fibres of any origin (forexample wood pulp, mechanical pulps, semi-chemical pulps, chemicalpulps, cotton linter, annual plants, etc.) whose main components arecellulose or cellulose and lignin having a minimum content of 50% byweight, obtained from a suspension of such fibres in water.

In the context of this invention, by soluble paper is meant a paperwhich disaggregates, dissociating into single fibres, in contact with anaqueous liquid, for example water, water and alcohol, or water in amixture with other solvents. In this invention “soluble” paper is alsoindicated by the term “disaggregatable”, meaning full disaggregationwith slight manual agitation, without the assistance of laboratorymechanical means. The user perceives this disaggregation as being“soluble”.

In the context of this invention, by soaped paper is meant a paperimpregnated with detergents.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of this invention is a soaped paper which will disaggregatein aqueous liquids, comprising:

a. cellulose-based fibre pulp: 50-90% by weight;b. disaggregating agent: 30-3% by weight;c. at least one detergent.

The percentages by weight are calculated in the absence of water.

Another object of this invention is a continuous process for theproduction of this paper, in particular production in rolls.

Use of the paper for cleansing the human body, in particular the skin,is also an object of this invention.

Further objects of this invention are use of the paper to provide avehicle for active ingredients and/or medicinal ingredients in general,to provide a vehicle for disinfecting agents for dispersion in water, toprovide a vehicle for products which make it possible to wash garmentsof different colours in a washing machine.

This and other objects of this invention will be illustrated in detailbelow including by means of examples and figures.

FIGURES

FIG. 1: Example of a known craft production cycle for the production ofsoaped soluble paper.

FIG. 2: Illustration of a method of using the paper according to thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the production of disaggregatable (otherwise referred to as soluble)soaped paper that is the subject matter of this invention any materialwhich is suitable for the manufacture of paper is used as a startingmaterial. These materials are well known to those skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention a first cellulose-basedfibrous material (cellulose fibre pulp) is used. All the raw materialsused for paper may be used as the starting material. In particularmechanical pulps, semi-chemical pulps, chemical pulps, conifer orbroadleaf pulps, cotton linters, annual plants and cellulose used forthe preparation of the fluff of absorbent auxiliaries, the maincomponents of which are cellulose or cellulose and lignin. Cellulose isa preferred raw material.

To this fibrous material there is added a disaggregating agent in theform of a water-soluble substance (for example molecules, polymers,oligomers, organic and inorganic salts). Examples of water-solublesubstances which are suitable for this invention are polymers based onpolyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, xanthan gum, guar gum,polyquaternium polymers, pullulan, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose,hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxylpropyl cellulose, gelatin, the sodiumsalt of carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, gumtragacanth, acacia gum, gum arabic, polyacrylic acid, methylmethacrylate copolymer, carboxyvinyl polymer, amylases, natural andmodified starches, aluminium starch octenylsuccinate, hydroxypropylstarch phosphates, high amylase starch, high amylase hydroxypropylatestarch, dextrin, pectin, chitin, chitosan, levan, elsinan, collagen,zein, gluten, soya protein isolate, milk protein isolate, casein, carobbean gum, karaya gum, carrageenan, gellan gum, agar, alginic acid andalginates, furcellaran, polyhydroxy acid polymers and mixtures thereof;polysaccharides normally used in paper technology. The preferreddisaggregating agent is the sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose.

A debonding agent (for example ethoxylate/propoxylate alcohols),inorganic and organic dyes, mineral pigments (for example kaolin,calcium carbonate), and retention agents (for example acrylamides,polyamines, cationic silica) may be added. These components may be inliquid or powder form.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention the paper has the followingcomposition, calculated in the absence of water, in which theabove-listed components are present in the following percentages:

-   -   cellulose-based fibre pulp: 50-90%, preferably 80-90%,    -   disaggregating agent: 3-20%, preferably 5-13%,    -   debonding: 2-8%,    -   dyes: 0.01-0.05%,    -   mineral pigments: 0.1-20%,    -   retention agents: 0.1-5%,    -   at least one detergent.

The precise percentages of the above-listed components are establishedfrom time to time on the basis of paper weight, the solubility of thepaper and the physical/mechanical, morphological and printing propertieswhich it is desired to achieve (for example tensile strength,smoothness, thickness, opacity, rigidity, permeability to air, tearresistance, inter-fibre bonding, delamination, whiteness).

In a particularly preferred embodiment the disaggregatable soaped paperaccording to this invention has the following composition:

-   -   bleached eucalyptus chemical pulp 86.4% by weight;    -   sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose 8.3% by weight;    -   debonding agent 5.3% by weight;    -   sodium lauryl ether sulphate and lauramidopropyl betaine in a        weight ratio of 1 to 1, in the quantity applied to the paper of        8 g/m²;        having a weight of 70 g/m².

In another particularly preferred embodiment the disaggregatable soapedpaper according to this invention has the following composition:

-   -   bleached eucalyptus chemical pulp 57.6% by weight;    -   bleached conifer chemical pulp 28.8% by weight;    -   sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose 8.3% by weight;    -   debonding agent 5.3% by weight;    -   sodium lauryl ether sulphate and lauramidopropyl betaine in a        weight ratio 1 to 1, in the applied quantity of 8 g/m²;        having a weight of 70 g/m².

In another particularly preferred embodiment the disaggregatable soapedpaper according to this invention has the following composition:

-   -   bleached eucalyptus chemical pulp 86.4% by weight;    -   sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose 8.3% by weight;    -   debonding agent 5.3% by weight;    -   sodium lauryl ether sulphate, lauramidopropyl betaine and        benzalkonium chloride, in the respective percentages by weight        of 49.6, 49.6 and 0.8%. The quantity of surfactant applied to        the paper is 8 g/m²;        with a weight of 70 g/m².

The equipment which can be used for production of this invention iswholly comparable to the technology already present in the production,improvement and reprocessing of paper.

Such equipment comprises:

-   -   a plant for the preparation of pulp, which feeds the feed box of        a continuous machine with forming clothing, or alternatively a        forming roller (round shaping);    -   a press unit;    -   a drier, in which a surface treatment unit may be inserted, for        example a size press;    -   an optional machine smoother;    -   a Pope roller;    -   an impregnating unit;    -   a post-drying unit.

In particular the fundamental components of the paper production lineare illustrated below.

A plant for the preparation of pulp, in order to prepare the correctmixture of water, fibres and additives, which is constant over time sothat the feed box and the continuous machine can have a uniform feed.

Once the pulp has been prepared, this is fed to the feed box. The feedbox is fed with a pulp consistency of the order of 0.4-1% and forms auniform layer of water, fibres and additives of the same width as theentire continuous machine. The pulp then passes onto the clothing. Thestage of dewatering of the pulp begins on the clothing of the continuousmachine and the stage of felting the fibres takes place at the sametime, in a first stage through natural drainage and then throughdrainage under vacuum. This type of machine may be replaced withclothing wound into a round shape.

The stage of dewatering the pulp continues with different technologiesalong the entire length of the continuous machine. Initially the dilutedpulp is drained on the clothing, and then passes to the press unit.

The subsequent press unit is designed to continue the process ofdewatering the sheet through mechanical pressing systems. This system isvery convenient from the energy point of view but it is difficult toachieve dryness values of more than 50-52% dryness.

There follows the drier, where the sheet is dried to the desired degreeof dewatering. This consists of causing the wet sheet to adhere tohollow rollers (generally of diameter 1500 mm) within which saturatedsteam is caused to condense. This system may be incorporated with orsometimes replaced by other drying systems such as hot air stoves, andinfrared ray systems.

A surface treatment unit, for example a size press or a film press, maybe incorporated in the drier in order to obtain surface treatment of thesheet.

A machine smoother whose purpose is to smooth the paper and generallyimprove its graphic quality may also be further provided.

Subsequently the continuous sheet passes to a Pope ‘reel whichcontinuously’ winds the paper produced into a roll and changes rollswithout interrupting the production cycle.

A machine such as described above is capable of continuous industrialproduction of the paper substrate required for this invention.

The roll is then passed to the stage of impregnating the substrate withdetergent agents (detergents). The impregnating unit may be off-line, orincorporated in the continuous machine.

In a preferred embodiment the paper is produced in the format of a roll.In this embodiment the equipment provides for the presence of a rollingsection, comprising a support around which the paper can be wound, afterthe drier.

In general the process of preparing paper according to this inventioncomprises the following stages:

-   -   a. preparing a cellulose-based fibre pulp;    -   b. producing a paper substrate by means of a continuous machine;    -   c. optional surface treatments on the sheet;    -   d. optional smoothing;    -   e. impregnation with detergents;    -   f. winding and optional packaging.

In greater detail the process according to this invention comprises:

-   -   preparation of a cellulose-based fibre pulp;    -   felting the said pulp and dewatering the sheet to an indicative        value of approximately 95%;    -   optional surface treatment of the sheet;    -   optional smoothing;    -   winding;    -   impregnation with detergents;    -   drying to approximately 95%;    -   final winding and, if desired, packaging.

A process for preparation of the paper according to this invention willnow be described.

The stages and preparation of the paper up to the addition of detergentsare wholly conventional and fall within the normal knowledge of thoseskilled in the art.

The starting fibrous material (cellulose fibre pulp) is placed in andbroken up in the vessel of a pulper containing water in order toseparate the fibrous material into individual fibres. The disaggregatingagent according to this invention and the usual components are thenadded. Use of this pulper is included in the known art in the context ofpaper production.

An aqueous suspension containing fibres and the other componentsdescribed above in a quantity which can vary from 0.7 to 4% by weight ofthe whole is thus obtained.

The above suspension reaches a flow box which distributes it over theclothing of the continuous paper production machine with maximumuniformity and regularity. A flow of pulp and water is thus distributedas a thin film of variable width according to the dimensions of themachine, with uniform characteristics in the longitudinal and transversedirections.

Two stages take place in the abovementioned continuous machine, feltingand drying.

The second stage which takes place in the machine is dewatering, whichis carried out by means of the following process: the diluted pulp isdeposited on the continuous cloth conveyor belt and passes to a pressunit which is designed to continue the process of dewatering the sheetthrough mechanical pressing systems. From the press unit it passes tothe drier which causes the wet sheet to adhere to heated hollowcylinders. This system may be incorporated in or sometimes replaced byother drying systems such as hot air stoves and infrared ray systems.

During this stage of the process the moisture present in the webdecreases to values of between 3 and 5.5%.

From the dryer it may pass to the smoothing machine which is designed tosmooth the paper and generally improves the graphic qualities of thepaper and it finally passes to the Pope winder in which the paperproduced is wound into rolls continuously and rolls are changed withoutinterrupting the production cycle.

In the subsequent stage the paper sheet has at least one detergent,preferably a mixture of detergents, added to it by means of spray orother systems typical of paper coating.

In this case the paper wound onto the Pope roller of the continuousmachine is rewound (unwound and rewound) on a winder to prepare rolls ofoptimum size for subsequent treatment with surfactant. In this case thesurfactant spray provides water to the paper substrate, which has to beredried, rewound and subdivided into optimum dimensions for final use.

As an alternative the detergent may be added in line in the continuousmachine.

According to this invention the detergent is a surfactant, preferably amixture of detergents. A solution comprising:

-   -   at least one of anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants,        non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants or a mixture thereof        in variable proportions in which the maximum dry percentage is        preferably 50%;    -   optionally a solution of glycerine in a percentage of less than        5%;    -   optionally EDTA, citric acid/sodium citrate in a percentage of        less than 5% each;    -   optionally sorbitol, sodium lactate, sodium carbonate, in a        quantity less than 1% each;    -   optionally perfumed essences as 0.1% and essential oils in a        concentration below 0.3%;    -   is added to the paper according to this invention.

A sheet of paper uniformly impregnated with the substances describedabove is thus obtained.

The sheets are obtained and again dried by means of hot air jets at atemperature of between 80 and 250° C. depending upon the weight of thepaper produced.

In a particular embodiment the continuous sheet of paper obtained may bewound into rolls in the winding section by means of a core which acts asa support around which the paper is wound. Thus a roll of variableweight and the desired width, which is not greater than the useful widthof the machine, is produced.

Subsequently the roll of soaped paper may be unrolled and rewound intosmaller rolls of various widths and lengths, cut, stacked and packagedaccording to market requirements.

In a particular embodiment the roll comprises preformed sheets, whichmay then be used by stacking them one upon the other from the aforesaidroll.

The final stages in the process described above (from unrolling topackaging or any form of packaging) may also be performed through anautomated continuous industrial system.

During all the abovementioned stages of the process the soaped paperproduct does not suffer any deterioration or malformation of any kind.In particular the paper sheet may be wound and unrolled at will withoutthe latter in any way affecting its characteristics. Thanks to the useof the process according to this invention the presence of cleansingagents does not in fact have an adverse effect on the flexibilitycharacteristics of the paper.

The soaped soluble paper obtained using the process described hithertohas a uniform colour, with a smooth surface finish, which can be inked,printed and machined.

This paper disaggregates when used in water. The process ofdisaggregation of the paper begins as soon as it is soaked and givesrise to complete dissolution, with simultaneous release of the soap.

In one embodiment of the invention the soluble soaped paper obtained isused to clean the hands or other parts of the body, which are suitablysoaped when they come into contact therewith.

This paper is also characterised in that it can be written on with pensand/or pencils and may be printed using existing printing technology.

As mentioned, the paper according to this invention may have varioususes which make use of the detergent effect and has the advantage thatit disaggregates completely in aqueous liquids, without leavingresidues, giving an impression of dissolution.

A preferred embodiment provides for use of the said paper to clean thehuman body, in particular the skin. In this case suitable detergentswill be used, in particular those compatible with contact with the skin.

Another embodiment of this invention provides for use of the paper inits edible form to act as a vehicle for active ingredients and/ormedicinal ingredients which have to be taken orally. In this case normalknown techniques of incorporating these ingredients may be used. In thecase of external use disinfectants for external use, anti-inflammatoriesand softeners may for example be incorporated, and the detergent will beselected in accordance with the active ingredient incorporated.

Another embodiment of this invention provides for the use of this paperto act as a vehicle for products which make it possible to wash garmentsof different colours in a washing machine. In this case the detergentsmay be those normally used in the domestic and industrial sector forwashing clothing and laundry in water.

Another embodiment of this invention provides for use of the paper withdetergents for domestic or industrial use, for example detergents fordishwashers.

Another embodiment of this invention provides for the use of this paperwith special detergents, for example hand washing creams. A papersubstrate according to this invention will be of a suitable weight.

The paper according to this invention comprising at least one domesticor industrial detergent according to the uses described above fallswithin the objects of this invention.

The following examples will further illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of Soaped Soluble Paper

The soluble paper substrate is prepared by mixing the followingcomponents in a pulper with stirring at ambient temperature for 30minutes; bleached eucalyptus chemical pulp 13.3% by weight, sodium saltof carboxymethylcellulose 85.4% by weight and debonding agent 1.3% byweight. The concentration of the fibre in water (consistency) is 1% byweight (1 litre of water, 10 g of fibre). At the end of the process asoluble paper of a weight corresponding to 70 g/m² is obtained. Thecomposition by weight of the paper so obtained is as follows: bleachedeucalyptus chemical pulp 86.4% by weight, sodium salt ofcarboxymethylcellulose 8.3% by weight and debonding agent 5.3% byweight. The roll of paper is subsequently impregnated with an aqueoussolution of surfactant having a dry weight of 50% using a spray system.The surfactants used are sodium lauryl ether sulphate andlauramidopropyl betaine in a weight ratio of 1 to 1. The quantity ofsurfactant applied to the paper is 8 g/m². The soaped paper issubsequently printed and may be prepared as desired.

Example 2 Preparation of Soaped Soluble Paper

The soluble paper substrate is prepared by mixing the followingcomponents in a pulper with stirring at ambient temperature for 30minutes: bleached eucalyptus chemical pulp 8.9% by weight, bleachedconifer chemical pulp 4.4% by weight, sodium salt ofcarboxymethylcellulose 85.4% by weight and debonding agent 1.3% byweight. The concentration of the fibre in water (consistency) is 1% byweight (1 litre of water, 10 g of fibre). At the end of the process asoluble paper having a weight corresponding to 70 g/m² is obtained. Thecomposition by weight of the paper so obtained is as follows: bleachedeucalyptus chemical pulp 57.6% by weight, bleached conifer chemical pulp28.8% by weight, sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose 8.3% by weightand debonding agent 5.3% by weight. The paper is subsequentlyimpregnated with an aqueous solution of surfactant having a dry weightof 50% using a spray system. The surfactants used are sodium laurylether sulphate and lauramidopropyl betaine in a weight ratio of 1 to 1.The quantity of surfactant applied to the paper is 8 g/m². The soapedpaper is subsequently printed and may be prepared as desired.

Example 3 Production of Soluble Soaped Paper

A roll produced with the specifications in Example 1 is subsequentlyimpregnated with an aqueous solution of surfactant, having a dry weightof 50%, using a spray system. The surfactants used are sodium laurylether sulphate, lauramidopropyl betaine and benzalkonium chloride, inthe following percentages by weight respectively 49.6, 49.6, and 0.8%.The quantity of surfactant applied to the paper is 8 g/m². The soapedpaper is subsequently printed and cut into rolls of the desired size.

Example 4 Use of a Soluble Soaped Paper

FIG. 2 shows a practical application of the paper to which thisinvention relates.

A sheet of soluble soaped cleansing paper is separated from the roll(FIG. 2 a) and is subsequently used under running water (FIG. 2 b).

The invention disaggregates completely, dissociating into single fibres,suitably soaping the hands and the parts of the body of the individualusing it (FIG. 2 c).

Finally FIG. 2 d shows total disaggregation of the paper according tothis invention, with consequent normal rinsing. The user perceives thedisaggregation as dissolution.

1. Soaped paper which will disaggregate in aqueous liquids, comprising:a. cellulose-based fibre pulp: 50-90% by weight; b. disaggregatingagent: 30-3% by weight; c. at least one detergent.
 2. Paper according toclaim 1, in which the percentage by weight of the pulp is between 80 and90%.
 3. Paper according to claim 1 or 2, in which the percentage byweight of the disaggregating agent is between 5 and 13%.
 4. Paperaccording to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising at least one ofthe following components: d. debonding agent: 2-8% by weight; e. dyes:0.01-0.05% by weight; f. mineral pigments 0.1-20%; g. retention agents0.1-5%.
 5. Paper according to any one of claims 1-4, in which thedisaggregating agent is a water-soluble substance.
 6. Paper according toclaim 5, in which the water-soluble substance is selected from the groupconsisting of: polymers based on polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethyleneglycol, xanthan gum, guar gum, polyquaternium polymers, pullulan,hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, gelatine, sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylalcohol, sodium alginate, gum tragacanth, acacia gum, gum arabic,polyacrylic acid, methylmethacrylate copolymer, carboxyvinyl polymer,amylases, natural and modified starches, aluminium starchoctenylsuccinate, hydroxypropyl starch phosphates, high amylase starch,high amylase hydroxypropylate starch, dextrin, pectin, chitin, chitosan,levan, elsinan, collagen, zein, gluten, soya protein isolate, milkprotein isolate, casein, carob bean gum, karaya gum, carrageenan, gellangum, agar, alginic acid and alginates, furcellaran, polyhydroxy acidpolymers, and mixtures thereof; polysaccharides.
 7. Paper according toclaim 6, in which the disaggregating agent is the sodium salt ofcarboxymethylcellulose.
 8. Paper according to any one of claims 1-7,having a weight between 20 and 500 g/m².
 9. Paper according to any oneof claims 1-8, having the following composition: bleached eucalyptuschemical pulp 86.4% by weight; sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose8.3% by weight; debonding agent 5.3% by weight; sodium lauryl ethersulphate and lauramidopropyl betaine in a weight ratio of 1 to 1, in aquantity applied to the paper of 8 g/m²; with a weight of 70 g/m². 10.Paper according to any one of claims 1-8, having the followingcomposition: bleached eucalyptus chemical pulp 57.6% by weight; bleachedconifer chemical pulp 28.8% by weight; sodium salt ofcarboxymethylcellulose 8.3% by weight; debonding agent 5.3% by weight;sodium lauryl ether sulphate and lauramidopropyl betaine in a weightratio of 1 to 1, in an applied quantity of 8 g/m²; with a weight of 70g/m².
 11. Paper according to any one of claims 1-8, having the followingcomposition: bleached eucalyptus chemical pulp 86.4% by weight; sodiumsalt of carboxymethylcellulose 8.3% by weight; debonding agent 5.3% byweight; sodium lauryl ether sulphate, lauramidopropyl betaine andbenzalkonium chloride, in percentages by weight respectively of 49.6,49.6, and 0.8% in an applied quantity of 8 g/m²; with a weight of 70g/m².
 12. Paper according to any one of claims 1-8, in which at leastone detergent is a domestic or industrial detergent, in particular theat least one detergent is selected from the group consisting ofdetergents for dishwashers, detergents for the washing of clothes andlaundry in water and hand washing creams.
 13. Paper according to any oneof claims 1-8, which further comprises an active ingredient, inparticular a skin disinfectant.
 14. A roll consisting of the paper ofany one of claims 1-13.
 15. A roll according to claim 14, havingpreformed sheets.
 16. A pack comprising sheets of paper according toclaims 1-13.
 17. A process for the production of paper according toclaims 1-13 comprising the following stages: a. preparation of acellulose-based fibre pulp; b. production of a paper substrate by meansof a continuous machine; c. optional sheet surface treatments; d.optional smoothing; e. impregnation with detergents; f. rolling, andoptional packing.
 18. Use of paper according to claims 1-13 forcleansing the human body, in particular the skin.
 19. Use of the paperaccording to claims 1-13 to act as a vehicle for active ingredientsand/or medicinal ingredients, in particular disinfectants.
 20. Use of apaper in claims 1-13 as a vehicle for products which make it possible towash garments of different colours in a washing machine.
 21. Use of apaper according to claims 1-13 as a vehicle for domestic detergents, inparticular detergents for domestic or industrial use.